The poems of David Lee Garrison, a retired Wright State University professor of Spanish and Portuguese, have been published widely, read by Garrison Keillor on The Writer’s Almanac, and featured by Poet Laureate Ted Kooser in his blog, American Life in Poetry. Named Ohio Poet of the Year in 2014, his most recent book is Light in the River (Dos Madres Press).
What past event do you often reflect upon, and how did that event change you?
When I was seventeen, I went to Europe with two friends. We bought motor scooters and youth hosteled all over the continent. We waded into other societies, cultures, ways of living. I realized right away that the key to understanding people from other countries is learning their language, so that´s what I set out to do. I made a career out of teaching Spanish and Portuguese, and I know a bit of German, French, and Italian. It all started when I went to Europe.
How does your work add to the quality of your life?
Life is full of routines, which is okay with me because I never get tired of going out for coffee in the morning or walking the dog or even doing the dishes. Well, maybe sometimes I get tired of dishes. When I write a poem, though, I feel the thrill of doing something that transcends routine, goes way beyond the ordinary. I am coming up with something no one else has thought of, and it is the deepest expression of my personality. My poems define me more than anything else I say or do. When I am dead and gone, I hope some of my words will live on.
Tell us a story you would like to share with the world.
When I was a boy, my family went to the coast of Washington on vacation. My father parked our car on the beach while we swam and picnicked. The tide came in and the sand became so moist that the car was stuck and we had to call a tow truck. In all the commotion our dog, Rusty, disappeared and we could not find him for anything. We spent the weekend in a motel, waiting for the car to be fixed, mourning our loss. On the way out of town, Rusty saw our car and poked his head out from behind a bush on the highway so we would see him. He had waited there for us all that time! We pulled him in, cold and hungry, twigs and burrs all over him. We were overjoyed and so was he. I try to be as loyal to my family and friends as Rusty was.
Author photo: Courtesy of author
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